All disabled crew to sail the Atlantic

The crew of military amputees completing pre-Atlantic Race Crossing Training in a swimming pool © Chris Jelf

The crew of military amputees completing pre-Atlantic Race Crossing Training in a swimming pool © Chris Jelf

The crew of military amputees completing pre-Atlantic Race Crossing Training in a swimming pool © Chris Jelf

In the final preparatory period before departing to compete in the ‘Ondeck Trans-Atlantic Race’, the crew of The Spirit of Juno, all of whom are both ex-servicemen and are missing at least one limb, have completed some sea-survival exercises in a swimming pool in London.

Following this final training session, the crew have now flown to the Cape Verde Islands to take over their boat, and have two days of familiarisation before starting the race against 3 other boats of the same make and class. A fully able-bodied crew mans each of the other three boats; there will be no quarter given to the BLESMA crew and they will compete on even terms.

The crossing is scheduled to take nearly three weeks but of course is dependent on weather conditions. They should arrive in Bridgetown, Barbados some time around the 21 November.

Of the crew of twelve ex-military personnel, thirteen are British, and the last is a representative from the American Wounded Warriors who lost a limb in Iraq. A BBC film crew will also document their endeavours for broadcast later in the year.

Ernie Stables spokesman for BLESMA said, “Events of this nature are of great importance to the rehabilitation of our Members as they place both physical and mental demands on the participants. We strive to prove that no challenge is beyond their capabilities following their horrific injuries.”

About BLESMA

BLESMA, which began as an idea among wounded soldiers living in Glasgow in 1920 - and struggling in “the land fit for heroes”, was formed as a national charity in 1932.

Today, BLESMA aids thousands of amputees of all ages, from those who served during WWII, to recent conflicts and peacekeeping missions. There are currently 4,200 members.

The Association has a national headquarters in London, two care homes in Blackpool and Crieff (Scotland) and local branches throughout the UK and a nationwide welfare service.

The Blackpool home is located on the southern edge of Blackpool and is only four hundred yards from the beach. It was set up in 1948 and provides nursing and residential care for ex-service men and women. The Home in Crieff looks south to the Orchills and was purpose built in the mid sixties. Both Homes provide full residential and nursing services in up to date en-suite accommodation. They are also very popular with BLESMA Members for convalescence, respite or simply a break amongst old friends. Both Homes have disabled adapted coaches and residents and visitors enjoy regular excursions. They are lively places.

BLESMA has its own very effective and focused Welfare Service. It has a number of Members still serving in HM Forces and it counsels and helps rehabilitate all new casualties once they return from conflict zones and its expertise and experience is valued and appreciated by the Armed forces and MoD authorities. Its rehabilitation work makes use of the fellowship of shared experience and is physically demanding and challenging. BLESMA’s work goes on.

The Crew

Colin Rouse ex-Royal Air Force from Lee-on-Solent who will skipper the event, was injured whilst working for the Ministry of Defence teaching leadership skills aboard the yacht Lord Trenchard after a gas leak caused an explosion on board resulting in the loss of his left leg above the knee.

Colour Sergeant Wayne Harrod from Melksham was injured in an accident whilst serving with the Royal Anglian Regiment resulting in the loss of his left leg below knee.

Robert Copsey from North Petherton near Bridgewater was injured whilst serving on United Nations duties in Rwanda with 9 Parachute Squadron, Royal Engineers by an anti-personnel mine, resulting in the loss of his right leg below knee.

Peter Sherston-Baker ex-Royal Navy from Bournemouth was injured whilst in the Merchant Navy resulting in the loss of his left leg below knee, has been chosen as part of the crew.

Paul Burns from Farnborough was injured whilst serving in Northern Ireland with the Parachute Regiment at Warrenpoint resulting in the loss of his left leg below knee.

Nigel Smith from Aylesford, Kent was injured in a motorcycle accident in Cyprus whilst serving in the Royal Navy on board HMS Plymouth resulting in the loss of his right leg above knee.

Serving soldier Johnathan Lee from Newark, was injured whilst serving in Afghanistan with the 2 Yorkshire Regiment resulting in the loss of his right leg below knee.

Christopher Stewart from Nottingham was injured whilst serving in Northern Ireland with the Sherwood Foresters resulting in the loss of his right leg above knee.

Christopher Herbert from Barnsley was injured whilst serving in Iraq with the Territorial Army attached to the Yorkshire Regiment resulting in the loss of his right leg above knee.

Charley Streather from Sutton-on-Sea was injured in a motorcycle accident whilst serving in the Army resulting in the loss of his left leg below knee.

Bernard Bambury from Salisbury, a serving Captain in the Army with 4 Rifles who was injured whilst competing on the Cresta Run in Switzerland resulting in the loss of his right leg below knee.

Daniel Psoinos is the representative of Disabled Sports/Wounded Warriors Project in the USA. He was a serving soldier in the American Army and was injured in Iraq.